When New York Young Republican Club threw its annual gala on in New York City, a private chat allegedly flooded with antisemitic and racist remarks ignited a political firestorm. Giunta, a member who created the group to drum up support for a leadership bid, is accused of posting “I love Hitler” and crude jokes about gas chambers. The leak prompted swift condemnation from Mike Lawler, Rep. for New York’s 17th district, and Elise Stefanik, the House Republican Conference Chair, who both demanded resignations from anyone involved.
Context: The Club’s Storied History and Recent Spotlight
Founded in 1856 and formally incorporated in 1911, the New York Young Republican Club proudly bills itself as the oldest and largest young‑Republican organization in the United States. Over the decades, the club has hosted a parade of GOP heavyweights, including a 2023 keynote by former President Donald Trump, who praised the group for its “tremendous gratitude” and early endorsement of his 2024 campaign.
That legacy of high‑profile patronage makes the recent scandal all the more jarring. The gala, traditionally a showcase for budding conservatives, was meant to celebrate the club’s resilience through “both World Wars and COVID‑19,” as the organization’s own brochure boasts.
The Leak: What the Chat Said and Who Spoke Up
According to a December 2024 report by Politico, the private group chat contained more than 28,000 messages. Among the most inflammatory were the phrases “total war” against political opponents and direct references to Hitler’s extermination camps.
When confronted, Giunta issued a public apology: “I am so sorry to those offended by the insensitive and inexcusable language found within the more than 28,000 messages of a private group chat that I created during my campaign to lead the Young Republicans. While I take complete responsibility, I have had no way of verifying their accuracy and am deeply concerned that the message logs in question may have been deceptively doctored.”
Lawler took to X (formerly Twitter) that same day, writing, “Members of the New York chapter who participated should resign from any leadership position immediately.” His statement was echoed by Stefanik’s senior adviser, Alex deGrasse, who told ABC News that the rhetoric was “heinous, antisemitic, racist and unacceptable.”
Reactions from Within the Party
Even as condemnation rolled in, the episode exposed a split inside the GOP. Stefanik had, just weeks earlier, lauded Giunta for “tremendous leadership” in the club—an endorsement that now looks starkly out of step with her current anger.
Other Republican leaders remained largely silent, perhaps wary of inflaming intra‑party tensions ahead of the 2025 New York mayoral race. Nevertheless, the episode has raised fresh questions about the culture in youth‑wing organizations and the mechanisms they use to monitor extremist language.
Upcoming Events: Gala 2025 and the Club’s Future Plans
The club is already looking ahead to its 113th Annual Gala, scheduled for at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattan. The event will feature Jack Posobiec, senior editor at Human Events and frequent guest on Steve Bannon’s "War Room," as an honored speaker.
In addition to the gala, the club’s Eventbrite calendar lists five upcoming gatherings, including a mayoral debate watch party on featuring candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa, and a “MAGAween” party on at the Revision Lounge in the East Village.
Impact Assessment: Why This Matters Beyond the Club
The scandal underscores how extremist rhetoric can seep into mainstream political circles, especially in groups that serve as training grounds for future leaders. For voters, the incident is a reminder to scrutinize the backgrounds of emerging politicians, not just the headlines they generate.
From a strategic perspective, the GOP’s swift repudiation could be read as a move to distance the national party from fringe elements, especially as the 2026 midterms loom. Yet the episode also fuels the narrative that younger conservatives sometimes harbor more radical views, a point opponents will likely exploit.
What’s Next? Ongoing Investigations and Party Responses
Both the New York State GOP and an independent ethics committee have launched inquiries into the chat logs. While Giunta’s claim that the messages may be doctored adds a layer of ambiguity, the sheer volume of the alleged content makes it unlikely the issue will be dismissed as a simple misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, the club’s leadership has pledged to tighten its event‑policy enforcement, requiring written approval from the club’s president or vice‑president before any filming, photographing, or interviewing of attendees.
Key Facts
- Event date: December 15, 2024 (Annual Gala)
- Location: New York City, New York
- Primary alleged perpetrator: Giunta, club member and chat creator
- Resignations demanded by: Rep. Mike Lawler (NY‑17) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY‑21)
- Upcoming gala: December 13, 2025 at Cipriani Wall Street
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this scandal affect the New York Young Republican Club’s reputation?
The leak has tarnished the club’s image as a respectable breeding ground for future GOP leaders. Membership numbers may dip as alumni distance themselves, and donors could withhold support until the organization demonstrates concrete reforms.
What legal actions, if any, are being considered?
State prosecutors have opened a preliminary review to determine if the messages constitute hate speech under New York law. At the same time, the club’s internal ethics board is examining whether any members violated its code of conduct, which could lead to expulsions.
Who were the main political figures demanding accountability?
Rep. Mike Lawler of New York’s 17th district posted on X that any participant should resign. Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House Republican Conference Chair, issued a statement calling the rhetoric “heinous, antisemitic, racist and unacceptable.”
What steps is the club taking to prevent future incidents?
The leadership announced tighter controls on private communications, mandatory ethics training for all members, and a new policy requiring written approval before any media coverage of club events.
When is the next major event for the club?
The 113th Annual Gala is set for at Cipriani Wall Street, with Jack Posobiec slated as an honored speaker.